Alvah 'Al' F. Hughes Jr.

Alvah “Al” F. Hughes Jr., 90, died Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009 at Prestige Assisted Living in Kalispell.

He was born April 16, 1919 in St. Pauls, N.C. to Alvah and Sadie (Johnson) Hughes. He attended school in St. Pauls, graduating from the Prep Military School near Raleigh, N.C. He followed by graduating from Officers Candidate School in Richmond, Va. 

He began his 25-year military career at Ft. Bragg, N.C. in hospital supply. Mr. Hughes served three tours in Korea as the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital Administrative Officer, including during the Korean conflict. Other assignments included Ft. Lewis, Wash.; Prince Rupert, British Columbia; Toul, France; and Ft. Riley, Kan.

He was involved in a variety of businesses following his retirement.

Mr. Hughes married Lt. Joan Minette, a staff nurse stationed in Prince Rupert, in February 1945 in Cut Bank. They shared 62 years of marriage and 5 children together.

He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church serving as an elder and deacon. He was also active in the Men’s Group. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed his men’s poker group of 15 years. He loved to travel, and shared his garden produce and fruit.

He loved sweets and never passed up a piece of pie or a bowl of ice cream. He was the happiest when sharing time with his children and grandchildren. He was a loving, devoted father. 

He is preceded in death by his parents and wife Joan.

He is survived by his children Al and wife Manon Hughes of Libby; Tom Hughes of Kalispell; Joe Hughes of Superior; Kathy and husband Brad Asher of Twin Falls, Idaho; and Minette and husband Dan Black of Iowa City, Iowa; his brother Tom Minette and wife Tina of Kalispell; and sister-in-law Jean Minette of Big Timber; his seven grandchildren Colleen Asher of Boise, Idaho; Emily and Sarah Asher of Twin Falls; Michelle Owen of Seattle; Becky Nelson and husband Tony of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Bryan Black of Iowa City; Chelsea Sanderson and husband Byron of Libby; great grandchildren Wyatt Annis of Twin Falls and Olivia Sanderson of Libby; nieces and nephews Rita, Bob and Susan Westermark, and Lori, Tim, Tom, Lena and Dani Minette. 

Visitation was held at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell on Friday, Nov. 27.

Military Services were held on Saturday, Nov. 28 at  at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell. Following, there was a Celebration of Life service at the First Presbyterian Church of Kalispell.

Friends may visit the funeral home website atwww.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kalispell Veterans Food Pantry, 1527 Montana Hwy 35, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home handled arrangements.